Vintage Sunrader Gets A Renewed Life

A 35-year-old Sunrader, Restored to Relaible for a Long Adventure

Nick Scheibel purchased this vintage 1984 Toyota Sunrader “factory 4×4” freedom vessel camper in 2020 from a gentleman named C.J. who was just down the coastline from  Massachusetts in New Jersey. C.J. didn’t want to sell the Sunrader to just anybody with cash, as he had owned the Toyota for several years. He was happy to pass ownership onto Nick, knowing that he’d take care of the Sunrader and eventually put it back on the path to restoration.

Nick was in the market for something to take out west during the winter months to live out of while traveling to different mountains to snowboard and ski. The Toyota, already at a very low mileage given the age, came to Holden, Massachusetts, to start its next leg of life for a journey yet to start.

It was no surprise that he would reach out to local Greg’s Restorations in Rutland, Massachusetts, being one of the few shops in the country to specialize in classic Toyota pickups and vintage Land Cruisers. Nothing like having your new project in good hands just a few miles away. Talk about a win-win.

Restored to Reliable

Greg’s Restorations owner Greg started out restoring classic Land Cruisers at his shop, which later gave him the opportunity to restore the Holy Grail black 1985 Toyota pickup from the Back to the Future franchise. That put him on the map for these classic pickup restorations.

The truck was originally brought into Greg’s facility to have the typical work that any restoration would start with, getting it tuned up and mechanically sound. In this case, the vintage Sunrader needed to be reliable to make the first big upcoming journey, one it had not done in many, many years. His first trip was to travel cross country from Rutland to British Columbia, Canada, to spend the winter living out of the truck while traveling from mountain to mountain, chasing fresh snow to go snowboarding with friends. Nick certainly did not want to worry about the truck’s integrity.

…the vintage Sunrader needed to be reliable to make the first big upcoming journey, one it had not done in many, many years.

After he made the 6,000-mile trip cross country and back, the Sunrader needed some much-needed love due to being 35 years old and never restored. Everything had been thoroughly gone through and made reliable to keep this vehicle on the road for many years. Luckily, the vehicle only had just over 80,000 miles on the odometer.

After Nick made the 6,000-mile trip cross country and back, the Sunrader needed some much-needed love due to being 35 years old and never restored.

Trail Testing the Sunrader

The vintage Sunrader is surprisingly capable offroad, perfect for any hard-to-get overlanding-type places that most two-wheel-drive trucks with cabovers or vans could not reach. Despite how cumbersome it looks, the Toyota Sunrader packs a lot for the size of the camper. And with four-wheel drive, this retro camper is perfect for snow seeking adventures.

What Makes a Sunrader Special?

While this vintage camper is not as rare as the on-screen Marty McFly special, this Sunrader is only 1 of 17 in existence for this generation pickup (1984-1988) and may be one of only a few left for the 1984 model year. Sure, they made plenty of the two-wheel-drive models from various different brands (Dolphin, Sunrader, Huntsman, Winnebago, and so on), but this is by far the rarest because it came from the factory with four-wheel drive and a lift kit. There are many conversion enthusiasts who switched the two-wheel drive to not only four-wheel drive but also to dually versions; however, this dually came from the factory. As the tiny home trend adopted the more nostalgic camper motor homes, it also led to current trends and expectations, as seen with the Toyota concept debut at SEMA 2021, Tacozilla, that is all the rage.

…this Sunrader is only 1 of 17 known to exist for this generation pickup (1984-1988) and may be one of only a few left for the 1984 model year.

How about the Performance?

This camper is about as stock and out of the factory as you can get. They have upgraded the engine to an LCE performance header and free flowing ceramic-coated custom exhaust. This required upgrading the stock radiator to an aftermarket larger aluminum radiator with electric fan setup to help keep it cool while pulling its own weight up hills.

The camper came stock with a solid front axle with closed knuckles and disc brakes, which is one of the key features everyone loves about this generation truck.

The engine is a stock 2.4L 22R Toyota engine with about 100 hp out of the factory. The 1984 pickup models only had carbureted engines. It wasn’t until 1985 that they introduced the 22RE with fuel injection. The 22R was well-known for a strong block with large displacement; however, it is not great for high-revving applications.

The vehicle has its stock drivetrain with leaf spring suspension, disc brakes in front, and drum brakes in the rear. The camper came stock with a solid front axle with closed knuckles and disc brakes. (One of the key features everyone loves about this generation truck.) The models switched over to IFS suspension in 1986 while trying to compete with other competitors for ride quality. Also, this truck has a W56 factory five-speed manual transmission with 4:10 gear ratio in the axles.

The Body Was in Need of TLC

Amazingly, the body on the Sunrader was in decent shape considering the vehicle’s vintage, which made it a great start to restore in the first place. Over time, the body got some cracks and gouges in the fiberglass and even some surface rust, but it was in great shape overall. Due to having a factory flaw that required re-work, the side door was the biggest job on the camper. Then, they updated all the weatherstripping in the doors and seal between the camper body and metal cab.

Since no one provides a reproduction of the gasket between the cab and body, Greg’s Restoration had to improvise with a white garage door bottom seal they sell at the big box stores.

Which Way to Go for Paint and Design?

The color of the camper was originally two different whites, which was not too uncommon back then. Some would fade differently pending exposure to the sun. Greg thought it would be better to have the entire camper match. This required several employees to push Greg around on scaffolding to cover so much surface area with nearly three gallons of paint. Not only did they paint-match after the fiberglass repair, but they also reproduced the factory decals on the side of the vehicle. While updating the design was on the table, given the rare heritage, they decided that keeping the factory look was the best option.

This Toyota Sunrader overland camper is definitely a time capsule and brings anybody right back to the early 1980s.

Soon to come is a full interior restoration, which had been on the backburner because of its good condition.The interior comes with many of the creature comforts one would need to just drive to a location, park, and enjoy the fresh powder.

This Toyota Sunrader overland camper is definitely a sweet vintage time capsule and brings anybody right back to the early 1980s.

Nick has already taken it on his adventures to chase bluebird days this winter and plans to use it more as he gets out this summer.

SPECS

1984 Toyota Sunrader Camper

Engine: 2.4L 22R

Suspension: Factory solid axle, factory disc brakes with AISIN locking hubs, 4:11 gear ratio, limited-slip differential (front); Factory dually one-ton axle with drum brakes, 4:11 gear ratio, limited-slip differential (rear)

Wheels & Tires: Factory steelies; BF Goodrich All-terrains 31×10.5×15

Other Modifications: LCE performance header and free flowing ceramic-coated custom exhaust; larger aluminum radiator

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What other DIY camper projects are mentioned as examples of similar undertakings?

Other Inspiring DIY Camper Projects

If you’re intrigued by DIY camper transformations, you’ll find these examples particularly fascinating:

• Double-Decker Bus Conversion: Imagine a luxury, two-story RV created from a repurposed double-decker bus. This ambitious project took five years to complete and is now a posh traveling home.
• 45-Foot Bus Makeover: Another captivating DIY endeavor is the transformation of a 45-foot bus into a massive and impressive mobile living space. This project highlights the creativity and dedication involved in turning a standard bus into a functional and stylish RV.

What modifications were made to the kitchen area of the Toyota Sunrader?

Kitchen Modifications in the Toyota Sunrader

The kitchen area of the Toyota Sunrader has undergone several upgrades to enhance both functionality and aesthetics. Noteworthy changes include:

1. New Locking Cabinets: Below the spacious stainless steel sink, there are now newly installed locking cabinets. These provide secure storage and prevent items from shifting while on the move.
2. Enhanced Cooking Facilities: The kitchen now features a modern two-burner stove, ideal for preparing meals efficiently during travels.
3. Countertop Improvements: The countertop has been revamped to provide a more durable and appealing workspace.
4. Updated Overhead Storage: Above the counter, the old oak cabinet doors have been replaced with long fiberglass cabinets. These cabinets are now equipped with Velcro covers, offering a contemporary and practical solution for easy access and secure closure.

These modifications collectively contribute to a more organized and user-friendly kitchen space within the ToyotaSunrader, making it better suited for life on the road.

What resources did the owner use to complete the modifications on the Toyota Sunrader?

The shop found NOS marker lights for clearance lights, although they had to buy from 10 different vendors to get enough. Since no one provides a reproduction of the gasket between the cab and body, Greg’s Restoration had to improvise with a white garage door bottom seal they sell at the big box stores. They also upgraded the roof vents to have electric fans for better air transfer throughout the body after a long day of skiing. This required upgrading the stock radiator to an aftermarket larger aluminum radiator with electric fan setup to help keep it cool while pulling its own weight up hills.

Greg had reservations about completing some of the work, like the wiring and electrical, but YouTube, tech support, and other forums helped him navigate the build process and learn some new skills. YouTube offered visual guides that simplified complex tasks, while tech support provided professional advice when he hit a snag. Forums were invaluable, offering a community of experienced enthusiasts ready to share tips and troubleshoot issues together.

By combining these resources with the parts and modifications, Greg successfully turned his Toyota Sunrader into a customized vehicle ready for any adventure.

How did the owner overcome reservations or challenges with the work?

Despite having concerns about tasks like wiring and electrical work, Greg managed to navigate these challenges by leveraging the instructional content and support available online.

What resources did the owner use to learn and complete the work?

Greg utilized online platforms such as YouTube, tech support services, and various forums to guide him through the build process and acquire new skills.

What significant upgrades were made to the Toyota Sunrader to enhance its off-road capabilities?

The vintage Sunrader is surprisingly capable offroad, perfect for any hard-to-get overlanding-type places that most two-wheel-drive trucks with cabovers or vans could not reach. Despite how cumbersome it looks, the ToyotaSunrader packs a lot for the size of the camper. And with four-wheel drive, this retro camper is perfect for snow seeking adventures.

This camper is about as stock and out of the factory as you can get. They have upgraded the engine to an LCEperformance header and free flowing ceramic-coated custom exhaust. This required upgrading the stock radiator to an aftermarket larger aluminum radiator with an electric fan setup to help keep it cool while pulling its own weight up hills.

Enhanced Off-Road Capabilities:

• Four-Wheel-Drive System: The upgrade to a four-wheel-drive system included other modifications to the pickup.
• Custom Wheels and Tires: The truck features custom wheels wrapped in BFGoodrich KO2 tires, enhancing its grip and durability on rough terrain.
• Rugged Bumper and Fender Flares: The rugged bumper and tough-looking front fender flares sourced from Craigslist add to its robust off-road readiness.
• Engine Upgrade: The engine was upgraded to a larger 3.4-liter Toyota unit, which required a hood scoop to accommodate the increased size, providing more power and reliability.

The camper came stock with a solid front axle with closed knuckles and disc brakes, which is one of the key features everyone loves about this generation truck. These original features, combined with the significant upgrades, make the Sunrader a formidable vehicle for off-road adventures.

How did the owner of the Toyota Sunrader overcome challenges during the modification process?

After he made the 6,000-mile trip cross country and back, the Sunrader needed some much-needed love due to being 35 years old and never restored. Everything had been thoroughly gone through and made reliable to keep this vehicle on the road for many years. Luckily, the vehicle only had just over 80,000 miles on the odometer.

Greg had reservations about completing some of the work, like the wiring and electrical, but YouTube, tech support, and other forums helped him navigate the build process and learn some new skills. These resources were invaluable, allowing him to overcome his initial hesitations and tackle the restoration with confidence.

The side mirrors were restored to original as they started to rust. The shop found NOS marker lights for clearance lights, although they had to buy from 10 different vendors to get enough.

Since no one provides a reproduction of the gasket between the cab and body, Greg’s Restoration had to improvise with a white garage door bottom seal they sell at the big box stores.

The fiberglass was in need of restoration, and paint, Greg’s Restorations reapplied the decal designs. They also upgraded the roof vents to have electric fans for better air transfer throughout the body after a long day of skiing.

Despite the challenges, Greg’s determination and resourcefulness ensured the Sunrader would continue its adventures for many years to come.

How did the owner handle unexpected difficulties during the restoration?**

When faced with unexpected difficulties, the owner improvised, such as using a white garage door bottom seal from a big box store to replace an unavailable gasket.

What was the approach or methodology used to solve the problems?**

The owner adopted a research-oriented approach, leveraging online videos and community advice to methodically address and solve the wiring and electrical challenges.

How did the owner acquire new skills or knowledge to complete the tasks?**

By engaging with the aforementioned resources—YouTube, tech support, and forums—the owner was able to learn new skills and gain the necessary knowledge to tackle the restoration effectively.

What resources did the owner use to overcome these challenges?**

The owner utilized YouTube tutorials, tech support from professionals, and advice from various online forums to navigate and resolve the issues.

What specific challenges did the owner face?**

The owner faced significant challenges with the wiring and electrical work during the restoration process.

What exterior modifications were made to the Toyota Sunrader to enhance its rugged appearance?

The taillights were upgraded to LED with metal off-road guards for an overland look. The truck also features custom wheels wrapped in BFGoodrich KO2 tires, adding to its rugged appeal. Additionally, a robust bumper and tough-looking front fender flares were sourced from Craigslist, enhancing its off-road readiness.

How was the interior of the Toyota Sunrader modified during its makeover?

The interior features very rare factory Toyota floor mats with extra comfy seats for long trips. The taillights were upgraded to LED with metal off-road guards for an overland look. Since no one provides a reproduction of the gasket between the cab and body, Greg’s Restoration had to improvise with a white garage door bottom seal they sell at the big box stores. Soon to come is a full interior restoration, which had been on the backburner because of its good condition. The interior comes with many of the creature comforts one would need to just drive to a location, park, and enjoy the fresh powder.

The camper is small but cozy, featuring a long couch that houses the batteries and can convert into a second bed. It sits opposite a small dinette with two chairs and extra storage. The kitchen is in the middle, receiving new locking cabinets below the large stainless steel sink, the two-burner stove, and the countertop. Above the counter are long fiberglass cabinets, which now feature Velcro covers in place of the old oak cabinet doors.

The bathroom is at the back of the camper and next to the main entrance. The owner, Greg, kept the original stainless steel sink but removed the door and the shower, using the space for extra storage and separating the area with a sheet. The lack of an indoor shower isn’t terrible if you’re camping in climates suited for outdoor bathing.

The bedroom is located at the front of the camper above the truck’s cab. It fits a queen-size bed and has a sizable skylight that’s large enough to allow access to the roof. The sleeping quarters feature additional storage and reading lights. A center section of the bed is removable, allowing for easier access to the cabin.

How are the storage solutions enhanced?**

Storage solutions were significantly improved by adding extra storage in the dinette area, repurposing the bathroom space for storage by removing the shower, and incorporating additional storage in the bedroom area. The kitchen also benefits from new locking cabinets that provide secure storage for kitchen essentials.

What practical functionalities were added or improved?**

Practical enhancements include the couch’s ability to convert into a second bed for additional sleeping space, the introduction of extra storage areas in both the dinette and bathroom, and the addition of a removable section in the bed for easier cabin access. The kitchen’s functionality was also boosted with new locking cabinets, a large sink, and a two-burner stove.

What are the changes to the bedroom?**

The bedroom, located above the truck’s cab, now accommodates a queen-size bed and features a sizable skylight that allows access to the roof. Additional storage options and reading lights were added, and a center section of the bed is removable to facilitate easier access to the cabin.

How was the bathroom altered?**

The bathroom saw some practical modifications: the original stainless steel sink was retained, but the door and shower were removed to create extra storage space. This newly repurposed area is separated by a sheet, making it useful for storage while still maintaining some privacy.

What changes were made to the kitchen area?**

The kitchen area received significant upgrades, including new locking cabinets below a large stainless steel sink and a two-burner stove. The countertop was also updated, and the overhead cabinets were replaced with long fiberglass ones, which now feature Velcro covers instead of the outdated oak cabinet doors.

How was the seating area modified?**

The seating area was enhanced with a long couch that not only provides a comfortable place to sit but also houses the batteries and can be converted into a second bed. Additionally, the camper features a small dinette with two chairs and extra storage space.

Where is the bathroom located in the Toyota Sunrader, and what changes were made to it?

The camper holds a shower/toilet just behind the driver seat, while further back is a kitchenette with a stove/oven. A propane heater with a thermostat allows for hot water and cooking. The rear dinette converts to a bed surrounded by windows for a great view of the mountains as well as a top bunk over the cab itself. There is even an upgraded sound system.

The bathroom is located at the back of the camper and right next to the main entrance. The owner, Greg, kept the original stainless steel sink but made some practical changes. He removed the door and the shower, repurposing the space for extra storage and separating the area with a sheet. The lack of an indoor shower isn’t a huge drawback if you’re camping in climates that are friendly for outdoor bathing.

This thoughtful redesign ensures that every inch of the camper is utilized effectively, providing both comfort and functionality for your adventures.